The Steering Committee meets each month, on the fourth Tuesday at the Rancho Cordova Library at 9845 Folsom Boulevard. The Steering Committee hopes to see everyone at meetings to give their input on goals and objectives for the Community.

Hello Neighbors!

Below is the agenda for the July 2018 BRECA Steering Committee Meeting. All community members are invited to attend. Make your voice heard and learn the latest buzz!

We hope that you can join us and find out the latest about all of the exciting things happening in our neighborhood. Even if none of the agenda topics excite you, you never know what exciting things may come up in discussion “From the Floor”!

Come join in the discussion, meet some of your neighbors, and have fun learning more about the community in which we all live.

A big THANK YOU! to our all-star lineup of guest speakers. This year, gracing the panel for our Annual event, we were honored to have the following:

State Assemblymember Ken Cooley,

Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli,

Cordova Recreation and Park District (CRPD) District Administrator Patrick Larkin,

Deputy District Attorney Shauna Franklin,

Chief of Code Enforcement Barry Chamberlain,

CHP Officer Tommy Riggin,

Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Officer Deputy Mike Matranga, and

Park Ranger AJ Bennett.

Other key officials came to answer our questions and included our Neighborhood Police Officer Bill Winton as well as members of the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) who serve our area.

This year’s event had the highest attendance in our history, and the feedback received from audience and speakers alike was very positive. The energy was high, the questions provocative and well thought-out, and answers provided were informative and appreciated.

The focus of this year’s meeting was “Homelessness and Crime”, and there were many questions around those issues. Our audience also asked our panel about our park, the parkway, code enforcement, traffic, development, and myriad of other issues as well. A very well-rounded representation of the issues and concerns within our community were addressed. The questions that we did not have time to address during the meeting were sent to the panel members, and answers were received later.

Homelessness and Crime

During the meeting, our audience learned how law enforcement works with other agencies and with the community to address different types of issues relating to the homeless.

For example, our State and local leaders have obtained funding for law enforcement and parks to work hand in glove to identify where the homeless congregate along the river or in our parks. They go into those communities, provide services to those who will accept them, identify and apply law enforcement remedies where they exist, and clean up the debris left behind. Needless to say it’s a daunting task.

These task forces rely quite a bit on community members to identify where the needs exist. Where we see an issue, they encourage us to report it so they know where to start. It’s important that we let them know. Even if we don’t think it will help, it starts the process in motion. Your report just may be the missing piece in an overall puzzle that they are putting together.

The panelists informed the audience about the differences between what they can do on public property vs. private property, and how code enforcement comes in to the mix.

The audience had several questions around code enforcement. On any given issue, to whom should we report and how do we know? Is it a code enforcement issue? A law enforcement issue? Some other jurisdiction? The answer is, we don’t really have to know. They’ll help us.

How to Report in Sacramento County?

Emergency – 911

Non-Emergency – Dial 311 or (916) 874-5115

Smartphone – Use the “Sac County 311 Connect” app

They will make sure it gets directed to the right department. The bottom line is, when in doubt, REPORT. They’ll figure it out.

The key takeaway from this meeting, above all else, is… REPORT. When in doubt, REPORT. There’s not much the agencies can do if there is no formal report.

Social media (Facebook, Nextdoor, Twitter, etc.) is not the same as a formal report. The agencies are unable to take action based on social media. The best thing that we as a community (and as individuals) can do to help law enforcement, code enforcement, etc., help us is to REPORT. That’s the only thing that will start the ball rolling. Even if no action can be taken on a particular incident, the report creates a paper trail that can be followed up if problems arise later. It also allows them to track hot spots, patterns, and trends.

As an example, one panelist looked up a particular area of community concern that BRECA shared with her in preparation for the meeting. She found that zero reports from the community had been made about that issue. That’s right. Zero. I’m sad to say it, folks, but that part is on us. But we can do better. By reporting what we see (even if we think there is nothing they can do), we help them help us.

That report is the starting point, or may even be a missing link, that they need.

RIVIERA EAST PARK

The audience expressed a lot of interest in the status of our park, and was very pleased to hear what District Administrator Patrick Larkin had to say. He informed us that funding to fix the walkways in our park has been obtained. That news received a huge round of applause! We’ll have an updated status on this soon, so stay tuned. More to come on this!

TRAFFIC

Another area of interest to the community was traffic. Participants discussed one particular stop sign at Allegheny and Elmira where several people have witnessed drivers “running” the stop sign, and a number of people reported having almost been hit. Supervisor Nottoli has taken action to look into this. Not long after the meeting, BRECA received an email that this has been referred to Sacramento County Department of Transportation for review and action.

We didn’t have time for all of our questions during the meeting. So, after the meeting, our CHP Officer was able to respond to a question about traffic laws at the railroad tracks at Bradshaw and Folsom Blvd. The question was, “What are the stoplight (i.e., traffic) laws at light rail on Bradshaw and Folsom?”

Here is his response:

For northbound Bradshaw at the light rail tracks approaching a red light, traffic must stop at the double limit lines where it says “WAIT HERE,” since it is illegal to stop on railroad tracks. Only if the traffic light is green can anyone pull forward of the railroad limit line(s). The crosswalk along the intersection is to provide a marked safe route for pedestrians, and act as a limit line to motorists only if no unusual conditions, such as railroad tracks, were in place.

Since right turns can be made on a red light when safe, at this particular location, a motorist looking to make a right hand turn onto eastbound Folsom Boulevard must visually clear the intersection and check for eastbound traffic before moving forward to the crosswalk, provided no trains or pedestrians are approaching. If the light is still red, the motorist must stop again at the crosswalk and ensure the intersection is clear before proceeding to make his/her right turn.

Folsom Blvd and Complete Streets Project

People were also very interested in the status of the “complete streets” project for Folsom Blvd. After the meeting, Supervisor Nottoli’s office followed up with an email, providing the following information:

Folsom Boulevard Complete Streets Project – recently approved for funding (for design, right-of-way and construction) from the State Active Transportation Program. This project will construct improvements from Bradshaw Road to approximately La Riviera Drive, including new sidewalks along the south side, sidewalk upgrades on the north side, new buffered bike lanes throughout, landscaped medians and frontage landscaping and streetscape. This project is now in the design phase with construction scheduled to begin in spring of 2020. The Sacramento County Department of Transportation (SacDOT) will hold community meetings on the project in the coming year.

Pavement Overlay Project between Bradshaw and Butterfield Roads is scheduled to go to bid in June with construction this summer. SacDOT is completing the design and right-of-way for the construction of new sidewalks on the north side of Folsom Boulevard east of Mayhew Road. Sidewalks will be installed along the vacant property located across from the Butterfield light rail station. This project is currently scheduled to be bid late this year and constructed in spring 2019. The sidewalks will be designed and constructed to be compatible with the streetscape project coming in 2020.

Toward the end of the meeting, the proposed ARCO AM/PM gas station at the northeast corner of Bradshaw and Folsom was discussed. Supervisor Nottoli shared that the plans had been brought to County Planning, and that the plan is currently on hold. BRECA and CORPAC (Cordova Community Planning Advisory Council) are both following this closely, so stay tuned to both of these forums if you are interested in this issue.

The evening was capped off with the drawing for River Cats ticket vouchers. Supervisor Nottoli’s office receives some vouchers from the River Cats organization to give away to community organizations. BRECA wishes to thank Supervisor Nottoli for choosing our community for this generous gift! The lucky drawing recipients were Rick Sloan, Amy Gillingwater, and David Frichtel and each recipient received two vouchers. Congratulations all!

Again, my sincerest thanks to everyone, speakers and community members alike, who made this such a successful meeting! Let’s do it again next year!!

If you aren’t already a BRECA member, please consider joining. Or if your membership has lapsed, please consider renewing. It’s only $10 per year. It’s easy! You can fill out an application and pay online, or download an application and send in a check. The application is on the BRECA website. Click here to join or renew today!

Minutes of March 27, 2018Lynda Hammitt proposed some additional language for the draft minutes of March 27, 2018, which was agreed to. Lori Christensen made a motion to approve the amended draft minutes. Rene Hamlin seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

Questions or comments from the membership/communityThere were no questions or comments from the membership or community.

ReportsA. TreasurerThe Treasurer reported a bank balance of $4,624.57.B. CORPACGay Jones reported that the County had offered training for Community Planning and Advisory Council (CPAC) members. One of the ideas from the presenters was to have a discussion on policy settings for the CPACs. Gay suggested BRECA’s guidelines from previous development proposals, which were to blend with the existing community, connectivity with the existing community, and full parkland dedication.

C. Outreach CommitteeRene Hamlin stated that the Outreach Committee had met after the General Meeting. This General Meeting had the most attendance ever. The Community Yard Sale is coming up on June 2. They are putting up signs. Lynda Hammitt commented that they have notified people on the BRECA membership list and Nextdoor. Rene continued that the effort is in conjunction with the yard sale on Defiance Circle. Two years ago they did printed maps, but it took too much time and effort, so that will not be done this year.

Lynda Hammitt stated that they had received some feedback on the General Meeting on April 24. One comment was that it was too long. Maybe next year it should be shortened to 90 minutes. Other suggestions for the future included having a list of upcoming events, handing out a piece of paper for people to write on, having a donation jar, and having microphones so people in back can hear. There was also a comment that it was hot in the back of the room. Lynda will get an article out for the BRECA website.

Gay Jones commented that she had feedback from neighbors that BRECA had pulled in the “heavy hitters” of the County. Jay Domeny commented that it was a lot to have in one meeting, and Lynda Hammitt did well in controlling it. Bonnie Domeny commented that she had feedback that nobody dominated the meeting. Andrea White commented that she had feedback from panelists that the meeting was well organized.

Andrea White stated that the Outreach Committee had also talked about having a “Little Library” in the park. They could have a bulletin board on the Little Library. Andrea had talked to the Cordova Recreation and Park District Administrator, and he said that the Little Library was a good idea.

Lori Christensen stated that the Outreach Committee also discussed having an information packet to welcome new people to the neighborhood.

Old BusinessA. Neighborhood Bike Ride & Ice Cream Social on May 23rdGay Jones stated that the Neighborhood Bike Ride is tomorrow, meeting at 5:30 pm at the Library for a safety check. They will ride around the neighborhood from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, then have an ice cream social.B. Yard SaleSee Item 4c above. Lynda Hammitt stated that people should send addresses to BRECA.org or *protected email*, also photos for advertising. Bonnie Domeny stated that she is making a map for people to see or print.

C. Cal AmGay Jones reminded people that BRECA is an official party to the California American (Cal Am) General Rate Case. The General Rate Case happens every three years, where Cal Am petitions for increases in rates. Right now the question under review is what the impact of Federal tax cuts will be. The Office of Ratepayer Advocates is advocating return of the money to the ratepayers. Right now there is nothing to do except wait and see.

D. Steering Committee Election ResultsJim Morgan read the results as counted by Terry and Don Joley. The results, in the same order as the ballot, were:

Candidates with a “*” after their names were elected to the Steering Committee.

E. From the FloorGay Jones stated that there is going to be a Metro Fire Camp, which is open to kids ages 11-13. It involves a day camp for a week of firefighting stuff. The deadline for applying is Friday.

New BusinessA. Arco Gas StationJim Morgan stated that after some effort he had received, from Supervisor Nottoli’s office, a copy of the application for an ARCO gas station to be located at the north-east corner of Bradshaw Rd. and Folsom Blvd. The project, however, is on hold, owing to an unspecified “easement” issue. It is anticipated that there will be a redesign of the proposal before it goes forward.A member of the audience asked whether there is an ARCO proposed for Bradshaw Road and Keifer. It was affirmed that the proposal had been approved.

Lori Christensen stated that the big gas tanks on the other side of Folsom Blvd. are a concern: what if something happened? Gay Jones commented that there is an emergency response plan identified in the County hazard response plan.

Gay Jones commented that there are some immediate concerns with the proposal, including 24 hour operation. She is calling the County environmental division about various issues.

Andrea White stated that the web site had also gone over budget at $146.83 compared to $130 authorized.

Gay Jones made a motion to increase the budget for the Steering Committee Election to $220 and the web site to $150. Rene Hamlin seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

C. Starthistle Removal DateAfter some discussion, June 16th was agreed upon as the date for Starthistle removal.

D. From the FloorLynda Hammitt stated that there is a new Gardening Club, which meets on the third Saturday of the month at 2:00 pm. The next meeting will be June 16.
Lori Christensen observed that someone had adopted the parcel at Linda Rio Dr. and Butterfield Way. They have taken out all the weeds, and put in some native plants. They plan to put in wood chips to cover the rest.

Meeting adjourned.

The next meeting will be a Steering Committee Meeting on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at the Rancho Cordova Library.